Articles by Chip Bolton

One of the dominant packaging formats in protein-processing today is form-fill-seal, and why not? It checks all of the boxes for processors, retailers and shoppers alike.

Resealable packaging ushered in an era of true consumer convenience well beyond just the touchable feature of reclosing.

In-line weighing technology — properly used — can be a compass of sorts, pointing in the direction of huge economic value. Usually, the data doesn’t mark that trail like a car’s GPS; instead, it suggests landmarks to look for.

Recently, I heard modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), a fixture in everyone’s meat case, is facing growing challenges from vacuum formats.

Today, conveying value is more important than ever because of the many challenges faced by manufacturers perhaps the most daunting is what some describe as the “commoditizing” of packaging.

Sustainable packaging conversations seem to revolve around descriptions like renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. The package is always cast as the central player.

Words such as innovation, engineering and precision generally are not what leap out at you upon hearing “casings,” yet, subtly, the business has become adaptive and innovative.

Shoppers browsing the fresh meat cases in their local supermarkets have little idea of the influence they exert over the case-ready tray packaging displayed there.